Andrew was left concussed on Thursday morning, and was suffering from elevated blood pressure. However he's expected to make a full recovery. The Tory MP for the Pudsey area of Leeds is considered one of the most friendly and amiable members of the Commons, but has been open about his intention to press charges on Joyce.

The attack was witnessed first-hand by Tory MPs Jackie-Doyle Price, Andrew Percy and Alec Shelbrooke, along with several Tory researchers who had been sitting at the table adjacent to Joyce.

A member of Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price's staff was given a split lip in the incident, and in addition two male bar staff witnessed the attack. All those present gave statements to police officers at Westminster on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier on Thursday Labour suspended Joyce from the party, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, told MPs he was taking the incident "very seriously" and asked MPs not to raise it on the floor of the Commons.

It is the second time this month that an MP has been charged. Former energy secretary Chris Huhne was forced to step down from the cabinet after he was charged with perverting the course of justice - a charge he denies.

It is also not the first time a MP has been involved in a fight in a House of Commons bar. Last year Labour's Paul Farrelly was involved in a brawl in the Sports and Social bar on the parliamentary estate.

Farrelly said he was acting in self defence after being confronted with a man who "took a swing" at him.